Trademark Registration

You've put a lot of time and effort into creating your business. Whether you're just starting out or you're already established, a registered trademark will help expand the protection of your brand nationwide.

What's the difference between copyright and trademark?

Trademarks are often confused with copyrights, but each protects something very specific. Understanding how they differ will help you make the right filing choice for protecting your valuable property against infringement.

The main difference is that copyrights generally apply to and benefit artistic works. For example, a song on a CD, a painting on canvas, or a book. It gives the creator the right to control any attempt to copy their work.

On the other hand, trademarks are used to protect brand names, slogans and logos for businesses.

Early registration of copyrights and/or trademarks can help you avoid costly disputes over actual rights of ownership, and their affordability makes registering worthwhile.

What are the benefits of a registered trademark?

Federal trademark registration is not required, and trademark rights can be established simply by using it in the marketplace.

However, these rights are limited and generally restricted to the geographical areas where the mark is used. Registering at the federal level greatly enhances your rights and, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), provides several advantages:

Notifies the public that you own the trademark

Gives you the exclusive right to use the trademark throughout the entire United States with the goods and/or services identified in your registration

Allows you to bring an action concerning the trademark in federal court

Gives you the basis to obtain registration in many foreign countries

Can be filed with U.S. Customs to ban imports of infringing or counterfeit goods

What's included in a trademark search?

Since you are not allowed to register for a trademark that would likely cause confusion with other marks for related goods and services, a trademark search can prevent problems before you even start the application process.

LegalZoom's Basic and Complete Coverage trademark packages each include a direct-hit search of the USPTO database to check for federally registered or applied-for marks that are identical to yours.

LegalZoom's Comprehensive Trademark Search package casts a much wider net by searching to reveal potential conflicts beyond those that are simply identical. This search looks for marks very similar to yours, including those with different spellings, plus active trademarks and pending applications in all 50 states. Find additional info here.

Our documents have beenaccepted by courts and governmentagencies in all 50 states.

* Available in most states. After the 30-day trial period, benefits to the Business Legal Plan (also Business Advantage Pro) continue automatically for $29.99 per month. For states where Business Advantage Pro is not available, benefits to Business Advantage Standard continue automatically for $7.99. You can cancel by calling (877) 818-8787. For full details, see the Legal Plan Contract and Advantage Terms of Service.